Clara’s much travelled ‘Cat’ comes full circle
A die-hard Ballygiblin supporter now, but this wasn't always the case. Michael Casey has come a long way since his childhood days in Clara, Co. Kilkenny, where, hurling was, and still is, a second religion - in some cases people's first religion.
While others eyed transatlantic travel, Mike ' headed south' in 1987, where he carved out a career in the management of pig farms.
A chance encounter during a visit to Banteer GAA grounds resulted in him signing up for the local team.
An enthusiastic hurler, who brought plenty of energy and no little skill to the table, Mike was viewed as a valuable recruit.
His work took him to Carrigtwohill and Coachford before an all important move to Mitchelstown in 1993, where he, and his wife to be, Caroline purchased a house.
Thanks to the intervention of prominent Kilworth GAA clubman, Pat Kenny, it wasn't a transfer from Banteer to Ballygiblin that transpired, but from Banteer to Kilworth.
Here, Mike continued to ply his hurling trade, earning a name for himself as a dogged and tenacious defender. The 'big move' from Kilworth to Ballygiblin didn't take place until 1998.
DEDICATED CLUBMAN
With reference to the transition from hurling with Clara to his stints with Banteer, Kilworth and Ballygiblin, Mike says he really enjoyed the experience.
"The GAA is great like that, I still have friends in Banteer and Kilworth, I mightn't have enjoyed massive success, but I loved being part of the team and doing my best," he says.
Losing none of his zest for the game, he threw himself into club activites in Ballygiblin, finding time to play, be involved in management and dipping his toe in the topsy turvy world of GAA refereeing.
At one famous club meeting, Michael, Mike or Mick Casey, recalls vividly the normally mild mannered Jim Moher, berating his fellow club men for not getting involved in selecting and managing teams.
"Jim who was getting on a bit, said it was time for new blood and he was really angry that so few people were putting themselves forward as selectors. I said I'd help out; Michael John Coffey was also involved".
THAT FLAG
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the Cork/Kilkenny clashes develop into a fierce rivalry. Mike continue to hold his ground with an impressive black and amber flag commanding pride of place in his garden.
As Mike remembers it, this infamous flag was to trigger off a mini crisis in Ballygiblin GAA when it was ' removed without his permission'.
"There was a lot of talk about the flag, in addition to a lot of speculation about who took it. Mike Daly, another fantastic club man, decided to conduct an inquiry and attempt to get the flag back, there were quite a few suspects. It was the subject of much debate in
The Mountain Barrack pub (now closed), Mike Daly wanted the situation sorted and the flag returned".
Without any bloodshed, the Clara native, thanks to the non-stop efforts of Mike Daly, got his flag back.
A married and busy man, Mike Casey continues to commit time and energy to the Ballygiblin cause. There were more losses than defeats, but this didn't deter him.
"They were and are a great club, we had some brilliant nights in Mick Lewis' pub, they also had outstanding individuals such as Eddie Barry, who would do anything for the club," he recalls.
Mike Casey hung up his hurley in 2005 but continued representing Ballygiblin as a referee until 2016. His daughter, Puja is involved with St. Fanahan's camogie team and the Mitchelstown ladies football juvenile team and Mike helps out when required.
THIS 'CAT' HAS CHANGED HIS STRIPES
Someone who has always had an interest in physical fitness, he has 30 full marathons under his belt. Despite advice to the contrary, he signed up and completed a 50 mile road run in Dingle.
His last marathon was in 2016 and he readily admits that at 54, the body isn't what it was and more than likely his marathon days are behind him.
Not a man for Netflix and the sofa, he joined Kilbehenny Cycling Club and is now a regular sight on the roads of south Limerick and north Cork.
With regard to his current allegiance, it's very much in the Ballygiblin camp - on the flags front, there is still one flying in his garden - a flag of the red and white variety, the famous black and amber having been replaced and retired from active service.